Course-finding instrument.



A.E.T HAYBR. COURSE FINDING INSTRUMENT. lA'PPLIOATIOIT FILED JULY 30, 1913..

1, 1 1 3,71 7. Patented 0015.13, 1914;'

` 4 SHEETS-'SHEET 1.

y l Nm 2709.1.

A. E. THAYER. COURSE FINDING INSIEUMENT. APPLICATION FILED JULYso, 1913.

1,113,717. y Y Patented 0011134914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. E. THAYER. COURSE FINDING INSTRUMENT. APPLIGATION FILED JULY 3o, 1913.

1,113,717. Patented 00t.13,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. E. THAYER.

COURSE FINDING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1913- 1, 1 1 3,' 7 1 '7.

Patented Oct. 18, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

New

agg.

imirnn sTA-TEs-PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. THAYER, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

COURSE-FINDIN G INSTRUMENT.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ARTHUR. E. THAYER,

. a citizen of the United States, residing at. I/Vest Hartford, in the 'county of Hartford and .State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' l Co-urse- Finding Instruments,- of-which the y connections, although' it is of peculiar util-- both.v course, the speed of a vessel, and the direcfollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to what I'shall forv convenience term a course-finding instru; ment.

A device involving my invention can. bei

employed with advantage in many' different ity when used on shipboard in which event it is adapted to determine different things,l

for example the steering course of a ship or the sailing course thereof and preferably Itis possible that if the sailingtion and velocity of the tide be known, the

` resultant speed' of the vessel, its course allowance, Iand its steering course vcan be. found, and it is. equally possible that Iif the steering course, .the vessels speed, and the direction and velocity of the tide be known, the resultant speed of the vessel, the course allowance and the sailing course of the ves-. sel can be determined, butv at the present time abstruse and intricate calculations,-re quiring some time intheir working out, are

requisite to ascertain these facts. "With theaid of: the instrument I can .practically in# stantly determine these things. While the instrument `is organized for ascertaining both the steering course and the `-lsailing course, there may-be instances where it will beadapted .merelyfor determining one of them. For example instead 'of making lone instrument I might make two, one adapted to find the steering course when given other facts, andthe other to ascertain theA sailing course when given the necessaryconditions` toi lindthe same. Y

` In the drawings accompanying and formf ing part` of the present specification I have shown indetail several of the many convenient forms of embodiment of the invention which toA enable those skilled in the art to practice the same will'b'e set forth fully Ain. the following description. I do not re-' strict myself to this disclosure;` Imay depart therefrom in several ways within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description.-

Referring to said drawingsf Figure is v Specitcatonovf Letters Patent.

Application led July' 30, 1913. Serial No.- 781,966.

Igiven time patentado-cele, 1914.

. an eleva-tion of a course-finding instrument involving Amy invention and showing the saine setto ascertain a steermg course. Fig. 2 1s a side elevation of the same, the mter-V mediateportion.thereof being broken awayV and in section. Fig. 3 is a. view of a slightly different form of the loose scale. Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. l and showing the device arranged for finding the sailing course. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are Views corresponding with Figs. l and 4, showing different Yforms of the instrument and-.in eachcase"the same arranged to ascertain the steering course. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectionon the `line. 8-8 of Fig. 7. v

'lov

* Like charactersv refer to like parts throughout the severalfigures of the drawings. Y

` The. course-finding instrument constituting the subject matter of the present case, is susceptible of widelydifferent uses, although it is:of peculiar aid to navigator-s. I use-the terms ship andvessel herein indiscriminately to `include a sailing, steam,

power or other craft. As `will be inferredV from what has already been observed the instrument can be used in two different i sel along the sailing course. In the other case the vessels captain may Wish' for example vto take' advantage of the wind, and

in doing so'will follow a steering course, as

it might be termed, or the actual path the vessel is steered, which, however, is not the sailing course or the charted path. By the use of the instrument he can determine justhow much he is ofi" the charted or sailing ycourse and where his vessel would be at a provided the steering course be followed. l The instrument preferably involves in its make-up a compass dial, which may be of any suitable material, such as sheet celluloid, metal, cardboard, paper or it might be a casting, the material and shape not being essential, as when I speak of the part in question as a dial, I dol not necessarily mean to imply that itis circular or annular in fo-rm, but rather that it is graduated like the face of the dial of the mariners compass. A dial such as meets the necessary conditions 5 is that designated by 2, and it is provided on its face with 'the customary radial graduations 3 disposed in annular order. `In conjunction with this dial 2 is a member having an indicating portion, said two parts being relatively movable to bring the indicating portion or mark oppositcdifferent gradua- .ti'ons of the compass dial 2, and such a member as answers my requirements is that 'designated by 4. Althoughsaid partr4 is show-n as a disk, this is not in all vcases necessary; the part 4vmay be also made from anyof the sheet materials to which I have already referred, the indicating mark thereof being'designated by .5, bearing as amatter of convenience the symbol zero; any other designating character or indicating mark might answer as well. Extending oppositelyY from the indicating mark 5 are thetwo arcuate scales 6 and 7 the scale 6 representl ing port and the scale 7 starboard as indicated inFig. 1. The two scales Gyand 7, although advantageous, are notalways necesi,-

sary, as their functions may be perfcrmed by the graduations of the compass dial as" will hereinafter appear. The two disks or dials 2 and 4 are preferably concentric, be-

` ing pivoted together for relative rotary movement, by the pivot 8.

In conjunction with the two dials or disks 2 and 4 is a manually-adjustable pointer as 9 superimposed upon the upper dial or disk 4'and to which the pivot 8 is connected, so

that the pointer 9, also scaled as will herein! after appear, can turn or swing so thatits 40 pointed end can coperate directly with the graduations 3 of the compass dial. This pointer or index finger'9 has two scales 10 and 11 at opposite sides of the Zero or neutral mark 12 thereof, the scale 10 being on what I consider the active or setting end of the pointer 9, while the scale 11 is on the inactive or non-setting end of said pointer, the scale 11 being utilized in ascertaining the steering course while the scale 10 is employed in inding the sailing course. The

' zero mark common to the two scales 10 and 1l is coincident with the axis of rotation of the swinging pointer 9L The instrument thus far described is complete in itself as by such an instrument with the aid of suitably graduated devices, I can determine the facts desired by the mariner, but I prefer that these devices be a part of the instrument. To insure greater accuracy the pointingor setting end of the pointer 10 has an indicating line 13 disposed longitudinally centrally thereof to cooperate with the radial graduations 5i of the compass dial. There is also what I term a base scale '65"as 14, this base scale as illustrated extending from the center of the disk or dial 4 diametrically 'outward from the center,

thereof and along the radial extension 15 of said dial 4, the zero of said base scale 14 be- Iing concentric with the two dials 2 an'd 3" and the numbers thereof reading upward away from the tide pointer 9. In addition tov the base scale 14 there is a loose'or movable scaljy, tlie two scales 14 and 1G and one of the scales f the pointer 9 coperating when the 'instrument is used for determining either the sailing or steering course at which time the three scales will be in triangular relation, one leg of the triangle-representing the steering course, another leg the sailing course, and the third leg the direction ofl iiow of the tide, the deviation from the course being indicated foi` example upon .one of the arcuate scales 17 and 18 upon the circular head 19 forming a part of the scale 16, the scale 17 being utilized to determine deviations from the desired course, to starboard, while the scale 18 is to determine deviations from said course, to port. rlhe scale 16 with its circular head 19 is preferably transparent, and this Vcan be secured by making the same of celluloid or equivalent material or the said loose or movable scale 16 might be made partly transparent or to an extent sutiicient to obtain the necessary readings upon the base scale 14 and upon either of the scales of the pointer 9.

It will be assumed that the navigator knows the sailing course to 4be W. by SS., the vessels speed to be 9 knots, the direction of the tide to be NIV. and its velocity 195 knots. Being given these he wishes to ascertain the resultant speed of the vessel, its course allowance and its steering course. In such event the compass dial and numerical dial 4 are'manipulated,so that said sailing course coincides with the zero or indicating line 5 of the numerical dial 4 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The pointer 9 should then be moved to the mark on the compass dial indicating the flow of the tide which as has been already stated is NIV. The straight gage portion 16 of the loose scale 16 is then located so that the speed (9 knots) of the vessel, on said loose scale, coincides with the speed of the tide on the non-setting end of the tide scale 11, which as is known is 1J,- knots. The zero of the loose scale 16 should ait the same time be placed'on the gage portion or center line of the base scale 14, all asl indicated in Fig. 1. The resultant or actual speed of the vessel along the sail ing course will be found on the base scale 14 coinciding with the Zero mark of the loose scale being 9g'- knots. The course allowance will be found on the mark of the port arcuate scale 18, coinciding with the center line of the base scale V14, being point to port. The steering course will be found on the compass dial coinciding with -two scales on the numerical dial 4 is 0f 'advantage in that reading of the-instrument will befacilitated.

In Fig. 4 thev parts of the'instrument are shown as positioned or adjusted todetermine the sailing course or that the -vessel will actually follow, the resultant or actual speed of the vessel being also determined. In finding these particularsthe steering course, the speed ofthe vessel and the velocity and direction of the tide are known. The compass dial 2 and numerical dial 4 will be 4relatively operated so as to bring gage portion 16 ing the 'functions thereof.

the steering course coincident with the zero line 5 of the numerical dial 4, and this steering course is assumed to be NW'W. The pointer `9 is then shifted to bring its indicating line 13 coincident with the graduation .of the compass dial 2 conforming with the How of the tide which is supposed to be S. The loose or movable scale 16 is now set 'so that the zero end thereof coincides with.

the speed of the vessel onthe base scale 14, said speed being 6g; knots in the illustrations given. At the same time the straight through .the number of the scale 10on the setting end of the pointer 9 conforming t'o the speed Vof the tide which inthe illustra-Vv tion given is 2 knots. With the partsl thus placed it will be known that the sailing course isNlV. by and the resultant'y speed v5-2; knots.. The course allowance is l-1- points to port as .found on the scale' 18 p ofthe segmental lhead or section 19. In Fig. 5 the compass dial is denoted by 20 and in this form ofthe deviceIthere is no numerical dial, the compass dial answer- Said compass dial is mounted for rotation, opening 21 of the base member 22 and it pivotally carries thev pointer 23. .On `the base member 22 is an indicating line 24 'marked for convenience with a zero or any other symbol might answer.i In fact vit is not necessary to provide a line,as the result in question might be secured in any other suitable Way, for lexample by a notch or an arrow. The pointer has the two scales 25 and 26 on its setting and non-setting ends respectively, the zero mark which is com mon to thetwo scales as in the previous construction, being coincident with the center or axis of motion of said pointer 23 and the numbers progressing oppositely from the zero mark toward the ends of the pointer. The base scale is denoted by 27 and the movable scale by 28, the latter being connected .pivotally with thev pivot of the of the loose scale is passed in the circular pointer 23, thetwo scales 27 and 28 and the 'two scales'25 and 26 on the pointer 23 and there is np arcuate scale for determining lthe deviation in points of the vessel from lits course, this fact being indicated by the compass dial 20;

In Fig. 6 the compass dial 'is designated p by'30 and `it is set in a circular opening 31 of the base member 0n the base mem,n ber 32'is an indicating mark 33 answering the same oiiice as the marks 5 and 24 already described. .'lhe pointer 34 is mounted and operated exactly like the pointers 9 and 23 and is furnished with like scales. The loose or movable scale is denoted by 35 and is pivoted between its ends to the gage member 36 having on its upper face two series of graduations 37 and 38 for indicating port and starboard course deviations read with the aid of the longitudinal line 39 of the loose seale35. Along one edge of the gage ymember 36 is aguide flange 40 cngaging the lower edge 41 of the base member 32. Along thisedge 41 is the base scale '42 which can be read through a slot 43 in the gage member 36. In any adjustment of the parts shown in Fig. 6 the pointer 34 and scales 3 5 and 42 Will'occupy a triangular relation- In Figs. 7 and 8 the compass dial is denoted v`by-45, being pivoted as by the pivot 46 `tothe-disk 47 provided with a central stud 48 fitted in the perforation or hole 49 in the base member 50, one or more screws vas 51 being provided to rigidly connect said supporting disk or compass dia-l carrier 47 with the'base member or board 50. The

tide pointer is denoted by.52 and is provided with scales exactly the same as those de' scribed in connection with the other `point-- ers. The, butt portion of the pointer 52 is provided with lugs 53 and 54, the lug 53 being hooked around the periphery of the "compass dialy 45, while the lug 54is similarly associated with the annular circumferential flange 55 of the compass dial carrier 47, which provides a simple Way of accurately guiding the pointer. On the upper side of the base member 50 is a stud 56 furnishedfwithanindicat-ing mark 57 `to coperatewith the graduations ofthe compassdial 45. V'The' base scale inthis construction Ais@designated by 53, and it has fastened to oneend thereof as by screws the head 59 provided .with a pendent projection 60 disposed between the pivot L6 being provided with a hook 66 at its y free end to engage the curved flange 67 on the segment 'fastenedv as by screwing, `to the base member 50, this construction providing` a means for accurately guiding the loose or movable scale'. The parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8 operate exactly as has already been'described in connection with the corresponding parts, it being understood that the scale 58 is brought'. down, in making a calculation, into proper relation with the tide pointer 59., it being shown in its inoperative relation in Fig. 7. The dotted lines, however, in this view show the position the base'scale occupies in making a calculation. To yprevent the base scale 58 from sagging the support G9 may be provided. inthe form of instrument shown in Figs. '7 `and 8 course deviations are obtained fromthe compass dial 45.

lVhat I claim is:

l. An instrument of the class described comprising' a compass-dial, a member having an indicating mark, said partsbeing 'relatively movable about'an axis to bring' said indicating mark opposite different graduations of the compass-dial, .and a manually settable pointer pivotally mounted for -movement about the same axis, said `pointer having twoseries of graduations and being cooperative with the graduations of said compass-dial.

2. An instrument of the class 'described comprising a compass-dial, and a pointer pivoted concentrically to said compass-dial,

manually settable to cooperate with the graduations of said dial, and having two separate scales provided with a common Zero-.,.inark coincident approximately with theaxis of rotation of said pointer and extending oppositely from said Zero mark.

8. An instrument ofthe class described comprising a compass-dial, a member having an indicating mark, said parts being relativelyv movable about an axis to bring said indicating mark opposite different graduations of the compass-dial, a pointer movable about the same axis, to coperate with the graduations of the compass-dial, said pointer having two separate scales extending longitudinally thereof in opposite directions, said scales having a common zero substantially coincident with said axis.

4. An instrument. of the class described comprising a compass-dial, a member having an indicating mark, said parts being relatively movable about an axis to bring said indicating mark opposite different graduations of the compass-dial, a pointer movable about said axis, to coperate with the graduations of the compass-dial, having a graduated scale, a base'scale and a movable scale, the three scales being adapted to be relatively adjusted into triangular relation with each other and said movable scale having a scale connected therewith', cooperative with said base scale.

An instrument of the class described comprising a compass-dial, a member having an indicating mark, said parts beingl relatively movable about an axis to bring said indicating mark opposite different graduations of the compass-dial, a pointer movable about said axis, to coperate withy the graduations ofthe compass-dial, having a graduated scale, a. base scale and a movable scale, the three scales being ada ted to be relatively adjusted into triangu ar relation with each other, and a graduated arcuate scale connected with said movable scale. t

6. An instrument of the class described comprising a compass-dial, a member having an indicating mark, said parts being relatively movable to bring said indicating kmark opposite different graduations of the compass-dial, a pointer movable about said axis to cooperate with the graduations of the compass-dial, having two graduated scales extending oppositely from a Zero mark approximately coincident with said zero mark, a base scale, and a loose scale, said base and loose scales and either of the scales of the`pointer being adapted to be relatively adjusted into triangular relation with each other.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- ARTHUR E. THAYER.

Witnesses:

HEATH SUTHERLAND,

J AMES H. KEANE. 

